What your online students wish you knew TALK

What your online students wish you knew TALK TO ME ECOTS 2012 CAMILLE FAIRBOURN camille. fairbourn@usu. edu

Why Students Take Online Classes Word cloud created using http: //www. wordle. net/

Why Students Take Online Classes �Convenience Spend more time with family Avoid work conflicts Work around scheduling conflicts with other classes �Learning Environment They like the self-directed aspect � Spend just the amount of time necessary � Work ahead of schedule

What students think is important Word cloud created using http: //www. wordle. net/

What online students NEED �Organization Clear expectations Clear instructions Frequent, visible, stable due dates �Interaction with the professor Prompt replies to emails Visible presence in discussion boards Online office hours

Organizing course materials �Divide course material and objectives into digestible chunks Modules, units, etc. Frequent due dates are best �Put everything in a consistent format Wiki pages with hyperlinks

Sample Home Page

The OAR model �Developed by George Joeckel at USU �OAR Objectives Assignments Resources

Sample Module Page

Interacting with your online students �Prompt replies to emails �Managing discussions Structured vs. unstructured discussions � Assign points or voluntary participation Comment often � Provide positive feedback � Correct misunderstandings � Clarify points �Online Office Hours Online meeting rooms Chat tools Real-time email responses

What online students WANT �To hear the professor’s voice Recorded lectures � Publisher produced videos are boring � Relax! There’s no need for a script. Video instructions � Jing � Camtasia � Adobe Presenter, others

What online students WANT �A choice in how to learn the material Personalized learning Learning styles are different �To interact with other students in the class Online ≠ Independent Study Learning Communities

Examples using Canvas �Introductory statistics class, first two modules https: //learn-usu. uen. org/courses/62298/wiki/stat-1040 showcase �Business statistics class, under construction https: //learn-usu. uen. org/courses/113292 �Email: camille. fairbourn@usu. edu More information on the learning management system Canvas at http: //www. instructure. com/ Polling conducted using http: //www. polleverywhere. com

Survey Questions 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Not including this course, how many online classes have you taken? What do you like about online courses? Please explain. What do you not like about online courses? Please explain. What things do you consider most important for an online course to have in the course setup or course materials? Please explain. What things do you consider the most important for an online instructor to know or do? Please explain.